BRADFORD Salem have ended the season with some silverware.

In front of a large crowd at Shay Lane, their second XV defeated Burley’s first XV 32-27 in a thoroughly entertaining Aire Wharfe Plate final.

On a warm evening that turned much colder, the visitors from Yorkshire Three took the lead when a fly half Sam Hume collected his own subtle chip and chase to put their man of the match Eddie Bateman over for a try that was converted by full back Sam O’Brien.

Salem quickly responded with a try by their man of the match, winger Caleb McConville, after neat work by fly half Richard Langhorn.

An O’Brien penalty put Burley 10-5 ahead but Salem had a purple patch before half-time with tries by No.8 Christian Baines, McConville and lock James Gorman, two of which were improved by full back Jay Barnes.

A second O’Brien penalty made the half-time score 24-13 to the hosts, and although Barnes added a penalty for Salem, Burley were not done, with replacement Charlie Holness getting a try that O’Brien converted to reduce the deficit to seven points at 27-20.

Baines then got on the end of a pushover try in the right-hand corner in front of Heaton Woods, which was just as well for them as Burley gave it a right go for the rest of the match and deserved their final try by replacement Gavin Leenan immediately before the final whistle.

Just to show that there is again an appetite for evening cup rugby, Salem’s best three crowds of the season have all come in Aire-Wharfe knockout competitions - against Keighley, Baildon and now Burley.